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What’s in the Box?- Ghostbusters (GBI)

There’s something about the promise of a boxed-set. For me they’re evocative of roleplaying in general, and specifically of MERP. It was the first boxed set I owned. For a lot of folks it’s probably the “red box” or something like that (the first D&D book I owned was the Advanced Player’s Handbook), but either way, they’re an entrenched part of the culture.

The picture below is of my Ghostbusters International boxed set. It’s not the original game but it’s what I have. The white dice are missing and I’m not sure if my “Ghost Die” is authentic, then again, I’m not sure why it wouldn’t be but maybe someone can tell me.

A Ghostbusters International boxed set

Getting these sets now is a bit tricky, not to mention expensive, but never fear, if you’re at a loose end this coming weekend, and you’ve never read Ghostbusters International the RPG, there’s a site currently hosting the .pdfs of the game. https://goo.gl/0UaYcv

It’s a quick read and a fun game. With the new film coming out in just a month it’s likely a bit of nostalgia will make you want to dust it off.

If you really like the idea of getting into the Ghostbusters RPG there’s a podcast you can listen to and a hub you can get involved with via The Nerdy Show.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
I’m not entirely sure of the legal situation regarding the .pdfs but what I can say is that the game is no longer for sale, nor in print, and hasn’t been for quite some time.

If you’re feeling a bit unsure about how to proceed because of this, the writers are Sandy Petersen and Lynn Willis, with Gregg Stafford. You can hunt them out and support other things they (or their estates) currently have for sale.

Sandy Petersen has stayed with development on Call of Cthulhu 7ed. Although Greg Stafford is currently a shaman he still has games about like HeroQuest and Pendragon. Lynn Willis passed away in 2013.

The second edition, (my boxed set is shown in the following photographs) has design credits for Aaron Allston, (now also deceased) and Douglas Kaufman whom I’d love to offer more details about.